Recently Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed a North Zone Regional Conference that focussed on the Constitutional Vision of Justice for defence personnel and tribals.
He emphasized on the fact that the Constitution of India guarantees justice and one of the facets of providing justice is access to justice to all the citizens and it is to be ensured that justice reaches to the poorest of poor, who deserves it the most.
For decades, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were denied the benefits of more than 890 Central laws due to Article 370 being in vogue. This legal disconnect led to disparities in justice delivery, particularly for those who needed the constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, and fairness the most—members of the armed forces and tribal communities.
The abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, marked a watershed moment. It not only brought the region constitutionally and legally at par with the rest of the country but also enabled a structural transformation in justice delivery mechanisms. For the first time, defence personnel stationed in the Union Territory and tribal communities residing in remote areas began to experience the tangible benefits of constitutional protections and welfare laws previously unavailable to them.
More than 890 laws were not applicable in J&K till August 5, 2019. However, after the abrogation of Article 370 all these laws have become applicable in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor pointed out that one of the critical facets of justice is access to it. In this regard, the region has seen a paradigm shift. Legal aid services, awareness camps, mobile legal aid clinics, and institutional support for the armed forces and tribal populations have improved substantially. These measures are bridging the gap between the law and the people it is meant to protect. For defence personnel, who serve under challenging conditions and often face legal and administrative hurdles, the availability of timely legal aid and fair representation is a fundamental right. Ensuring that their service-related grievances, pension issues, and welfare matters are addressed in a time-bound and just manner strengthens their morale and reaffirms the government’s commitment to their well-being. |
